Question 1

Which of the following best defines social psychology?

Accepted Answer

The scientific study of the way people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people.

Question 2

A university athlete feels happy about enduring a harsh hazing ritual, and a group of people die in a cult-related murder-suicide. What do these examples illustrate in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

They reveal the power of social influence.

Question 3

Which scenario is an example of a direct persuasion attempt?

Accepted Answer

A bully threatens Billy and demands that he hand over his money.

Question 4

The term 'construal' in social psychology refers to:

Accepted Answer

The way in which people perceive, comprehend, and interpret the social world.

Question 5

When committing the fundamental attribution error, people tend to:

Accepted Answer

Overestimate the power of personality traits.

Question 6

A negotiator working with Israelis and Palestinians applies the concept of naïve realism. How might this understanding improve negotiations?

Accepted Answer

Both sides would understand that their perceptions are biased and try to be more objective.

Question 7

Which of the following is a major difference between sociology and social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Social psychology studies the psychological processes people have in common with one another that make them susceptible to social influence, while sociology provides general laws and theories about societies.

Question 8

Linda sees a driver speeding and thinks, 'The driver might be rushing a sick pet to the vet.' This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A situational attribution.

Question 9

After a tragic event, people often believe they 'should have seen it coming.' This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Hindsight bias

Question 10

Baljit predicts that students who listen to classical music while studying will outperform those who listen to rock music. In research terms, this prediction is a(n):

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis

Question 11

A researcher finds a correlation of $$r = -0.72$$ between the frequency of disagreements couples have and how long they stay together. Should you start arguments to sustain your relationship?

Accepted Answer

No, because although the two may be correlated, causation has not been proved.

Question 12

Which of the following correlation coefficients indicates the strongest relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

$$-0.74$$

Question 13

A researcher finds a high positive correlation between age and income level. This means that as age ________, income level tends to ________.

Accepted Answer

Increases, increase

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an example of an operational definition?

Accepted Answer

Defining 'love' as a unique and special feeling.

Question 15

Which research method is best suited to answer the question: 'Is variable X a cause of variable Y?'

Accepted Answer

Experimental research

Question 16

What is the main advantage of archival research in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

It enables researchers to detect changes across time and cultures.

Question 17

Why is it unwise to conclude that if two variables are correlated, one must have caused the other?

Accepted Answer

Some unmeasured third variable might be responsible for the relationship between the two.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the difference between internal validity and external validity?

Accepted Answer

Internal validity is how well cause and effect are shown; external validity is how well results generalize.

Question 19

A correlation coefficient of $$r = 0.00$$ indicates:

Accepted Answer

No correlation between the two variables.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the process of random selection?

Accepted Answer

A way of ensuring that a sample of people is representative of a population, by giving everyone in the population an equal chance of being selected for the sample.

Social Psychology: Key Concepts and Research Methods – Guided Study

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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